Disease rights policy

Qiao Ran lay in bed, thinking about what had happened recently. She had indeed found the 'Spring and Autumn Annals', but she couldn't take it away for the time being. Even if it was given to her after Chen Jiu's death, as he said, it would still take five years, or even longer, if nothing unexpected happened.

Who knows, Chen Jiu might suddenly recover from her illness and live for another ten or eight years. She definitely wouldn't do something like murder and robbery, so we can only wait.

The best approach is to continue with her old profession. Since she has already gained some fame in the martial arts world, she might as well take advantage of the current popularity in Sichuan to expand her influence and establish her own sect.

"No, no," Qiao Ran muttered, rejecting the idea.

She'll probably be besieged by bandits before she even gets started. She can't even withstand a direct confrontation with Wuting Hall, let alone fight against the major sects.

Qiao Ran closed her eyes. The deaths of Master Kongji and Judge Yang were definitely unrelated to her. She would just thank Chen Jiu for saving her life and then make a quick getaway.

As for the dirty water and reputation, she didn't care at all... The Imperial City Guard would naturally investigate, but how did Chen Jiu become a member of the Imperial City Guard?

His existence is unknown to most people, isn't it...?

"Girl? Girl?"

The knocking on the door woke Qiao Ran. When she opened her eyes, the morning light was already streaming into the room through the window. She wondered when she had fallen asleep.

"Come in," Qiao Ran yawned, rubbing her eyes as if half asleep.

Mu Xiang pushed open the door and came in, carrying a basin of water. "Miss, please go to sleep later. Young master invites you in."

Qiao Ran tidied herself up and went to see Chen Jiu. The weather was nice today, and Chen Jiu was also dressed neatly and came out for a meal. He smiled when he saw Qiao Ran come in and said, "Come in and sit down."

Qiao Ran didn't stand on ceremony and plopped down on the floor. "It smells so good."

"Don't be shy, eat more if you're hungry." Chen Jiu said, "Are you going out of town after the meal?"

Qiao Ran almost forgot about it again. "Yes, I'm going to meet up with Qin Huai."

"I'll send someone. Just tell me the location; it's not safe for you to go out now." Chen Jiu finished speaking and called over a guard, then turned to look at Qiao Ran, "Where is Qin Huai waiting for you?"

Qiao Ran wanted to go by herself, but hesitated for a moment, "I'll be careful, it'll be alright."

Chen Jiu frowned. "Everyone outside is looking for you. It's better to be cautious."

That being said, the people outside were all carrying Qin Huai's portrait, so she wasn't really in much danger; it's just that her hand-to-hand combat skills were ultimately lacking.

"Alright, I'm sorry to trouble you again." Qiao Ran smiled shamelessly. "Qin Huai is waiting for me at the post station ten miles outside the city. I'm just afraid he won't be able to get into the city before I arrive."

The guards at the gate received their orders and immediately left the city. Chen Jiu had summoned Qiao Ran as if it were just for a meal, and the table suddenly fell silent, so quiet that Qiao Ran could hear the flowing water in the courtyard.

The chopsticks in front of her paused. Qiao Ran waited for a while without moving them. She looked up and asked dryly, "Why aren't you eating?"

"I'm full," Chen Jiu said, looking at her. "Wait until you finish eating."

"Eating so little? Is it because..."

"You know my health condition; I don't usually eat much. It's alright, you can eat slowly."

Qiao Ran felt a pang of sympathy for him, and sighed inwardly that beautiful women often have tragic fates, but Chen Jiu was not a beautiful woman, just someone whose life was destined to be short.

She lowered her head, ate a couple of mouthfuls of rice, and then lost her appetite.

Chen Jiu said, "After you finish eating, I have something to tell you."

What words?

Qiao Ran put down her chopsticks and casually wiped her mouth with her hand. Suddenly, she became interested. "No wonder. You didn't say a word while eating. I'm a rough person, but Jinzhou, you're not. I forgot that you young masters of noble families all abide by the rule of not speaking while eating or sleeping."

Chen Jiu was stunned for a moment, looking at Qiao Ran who was leaning forward and almost climbing onto the dining table, and explained helplessly, "I don't have these rules here."

Qiao Ran was a little confused. "Then why didn't you say so earlier?" She replied casually, "I could eat more if I talked while eating. Who eats with their head down? I was already full."

Chen Jiu laughed again, his face becoming more radiant and dazzling. "You didn't eat anything at Wuting Hall last night, and you almost got into danger. I suppose you didn't eat much when you got back either. I thought you were hungry and didn't have the energy to talk much."

The two laughed for a while, but Chen Jiu, feeling weak, turned his head and coughed several times.

Old Master Qu entered, followed by a maid carrying medicine. "Young Master, it's time to rest."

The medicine was very bitter, and Qiao Ran frowned when she smelled it.

Before the maid brought it over, Chen Jiu gave Old Master Qu a look, signaling him to wait a while before drinking.

Old Master Qu wanted to say something immediately, but he held back and didn't speak, secretly observing Qiao Ran.

"Take it to the young master's bedroom and reheat it every fifteen minutes."

"Yes." The maidservant obeyed the order and withdrew.

Old Master Qu walked to Chen Jiu's side and reached out to take Chen Jiu's pulse. Chen Jiu dodged slightly and said in a low voice, "I'm fine, Old Master Qu, there's no need to trouble yourself. I won't ask for your pulse at noon today. I'll take the medicine later."

"Young Master!" Old Master Qu raised his voice, glaring at Qiao Ran. "The time has come. If you have anything to say, you can speak with Miss Qiao later. Young Master, you..."

“Elder Qu!” Chen Jiu interrupted him, saying calmly, “You have overstepped your bounds.”

"Yes, young master." Old Master Qu sighed, and before leaving, he glanced at Qiao Ran again, his gaze anything but friendly.

Qiao Ran wasn't stupid. She probably knew that although the people in this villa were polite to her on the surface, they probably hated her to death in their hearts, especially Old Master Qu. He had devoted himself to finding a cure for Chen Jiu's illness day and night, and it was only when things were finally starting to improve that his son almost died because of her recklessness.

"Chen Jinzhou." Qiao Ran stood up and said awkwardly, "You should rest. We'll talk later. I'm leaving now."

As she was about to leave, Chen Jiu behind her said, "Didn't you want to know why I have the Imperial City Guard's warrant?"

Qiao Ran turned around and said, "I'm curious, but I don't necessarily need to know."

From the moment the troops from Shu surrounded the mountain for him, Qiao Ran guessed that although he was an unknown legitimate son of the Prime Minister's family, he still held a noble status.

"No matter what, I managed to get Xie Laoshi to help you in time last night, so please do me the honor of sitting with me for a while longer."

Since Chen Jiu had said that, Qiao Ran was no longer going to hesitate. She plopped back down and faintly heard an old man at the door humming.

"Speaking of what happened last night, I really have to thank you. Otherwise, I would have fallen into that villain Cang Zhengqing's trap and would be dead by now."

"On the day you left the mountain, you should have told the others to leave Sichuan and meet up with you elsewhere. They obeyed and left that day, leaving only you and Qin Huai in Sichuan. Cang Zhengqing didn't have any of your men, so he's just bluffing you two."

"How despicable!" Qiao Ran said angrily, "You have no idea how dangerous it was for me last night. That Cang Zhengqing is indeed different from the rumored upright character. He is ruthless and cruel, and he takes lives."

Chen Jiu often stayed in Sichuan and had already investigated Cang Zhengqing. "He is indeed not a good person. However, Wuting Hall has been rooted in Sichuan for a long time and has some influence. Ordinary people do not know his true face. The disciples in the hall are all afraid of him. Over the years, he has done some good deeds in Sichuan and has cultivated a false good reputation and received compliments from people."

Qiao Ran said disdainfully, "I don't know where Cang Zhengqing gets the nerve."

When Qiao Ran got angry, she became a complete female tyrant, slamming her hand on the table with a loud "bang." Chen Jiu awkwardly backed away, staring at her with a smile.

"You're still laughing," Qiao Ran said irritably after hastily tidying her appearance. "I think that Cang Zhengqing, though domineering, is still somewhat afraid of the imperial court. Didn't you scare him with the Imperial City Guard's warrant last night? Since you have the authority to investigate this case, then teach Cang Zhengqing a lesson and show him what's what."

Chen Jiu suppressed his smile, "I have no right to investigate Wuting Hall."

"Huh?" Qiao Ran asked in confusion, "Aren't you from the Imperial City Guard?"

"You mean this?"

Chen Jiu pulled out the warrant that had intimidated Cang Zhengqing the night before from somewhere and casually threw it in front of Qiao Ran, saying, "It's fake."

Qiao Ran: "..."

Her eyes widened instantly, like saucers. "You're incredibly bold!"